(17) 
The Museum 
No important repairs or alterations have been made in the 
museum during the year. The amount of shelving in the 
publication room has been doubled by the construction of new 
wooden stacks. Two masons have been employed in point- 
ing up the cornices and balustrades and relaying tiles on the 
roof during the summer. 
Some new cases for the better accommodation of the col- 
lections have been constructed, and a number of extensions 
to the present stacks have been installed in the library. 
The interiors of the laboratories were painted with white 
lead and zinc, also the main corridor and the office of the 
assistant director. 
It has been impossible so far to find and stop all the leaks, 
which cause some annoyance and damage in the various 
laboratories, and it will be necessary to devote more serious 
attention to this matter. 
The new fountain in front of the museum was put in action 
in July and has operated satisfactorily. The water supply 
for it was cut off early in November. 
Conservatories 
The conservatories have been operated through the year 
with a few minor repairs to ventilating apparatus, doors, and 
shades. A very small amount of breakage has been reported. 
Two painters were employed from June to October in repaint- 
ing the entire exterior of the range. The proper adjustment 
and management of the removable houses in the lily tanks 
has not yet been found, and some further experimentation 
may be necessary to get the best results. 
Propagating Houses 
The propagating houses have been maintained at a mini- 
mum of expense, and I am able to report that they and the 
nursery are in a very efficient condition. 
